Explores ways in which senior academic librarians contribute to the long-term educational, professional, collegial, and career development of entry-level reference librarians. Literature on reference training is reviewed; and four roles of senior librarians are described, including teacher, advisor, interpersonal role model, and mentor. (Contains…

A survey of heads of collection development in 104 academic libraries was conducted to determine usefulness of information sources on curriculum change for selectors and extent of library involvement in planning such changes. Procedures developed at University of New Mexico and other universities are highlighted. Questionnaire is appended. (24…

Presents the results of a survey of academic librarians employed in public colleges and universities undertaken to determine if a correlation exists between librarian participation in collective bargaining units and level of professional development activities. Three data tables and a 17-item reference list accompany the text. (JL)

Describes a peer coaching program implemented at Temple University's Reference and Information Services Department to provide staff with support in fine-tuning and maintaining certain reference desk skills. The discussion covers the origins of the program, coaching basics, and the applicability of peer coaching to the academic library setting. (12…

Describes a survey of 47 postsecondary educational institutions in three prairie provinces of Canada that examined the extent of pressures to remove, relocate, or reclassify library materials between 1980 and 1985, and the effectiveness of written selection policies in dealing with such pressures. Specific censorship incidents are reported in…

Reports the findings of a survey of 37 participants in the Professional Development Program developed by Northwestern University, the University of Chicago, and the University of Illinois (Chicago) to promote the integration of newer professional staff members into research libraries are discussed. Concludes that the successful program can serve…

A comparison of subject- and publisher-based book approval plans for academic libraries found publisher-based plans to be more successful for purchasing domestic publications, and subject-based plans for international ones. Library collections, organization, and vagaries of the publishing industry form the basis for selecting the plan which is…

Description of rationale for faculty status for academic librarians encompasses principles of academic freedom and tenure, collegial governance, standards for job evaluation. Progress toward full faculty status at University of Illinois from 1970 to present is described, including library administration, policies, work schedules, and librarian…

Discusses the processes shaping the professionalization of college and research librarianship within the framework of four sociological theories. It is suggested that structural changes within higher education and the information industry affect the legitimacy, status, and territory of librarians' work, and that professional growth cannot be…

Studies characteristics of a multilateral cooperative selection program for small rare book collections and describes success of such a program at University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill and University of North Carolina-Greensboro. Highlights include five guidelines as prerequisites to formal agreement and a cooperative collection development…

Reprint of a 1964 article by David Kaser which presented mathematical formulas for estimating the collection sizes (in volumes) required to ensure minimum adequacy of academic library collections at institutions with widely different characteristics. Current article presents new formulas and illustrates their application at specific institutions.…

Argues that the internal organization of collection development and the nature of science and scholarship lead to inevitable gaps in collection development. The structural and intellectual causes of collection development gaps are analyzed, and a number of areas whose literatures are especially vulnerable to being ignored or overlooked by…

Presents a strategic planning model originally developed for university research and illustrates its usefulness for academic libraries. Library development and fund-raising activities are used as examples to illustrate the various stages of strategic planning, including scanning the environment, designing the plan, acceptance, and adoption.…

This study examined circulation and inhouse use of 13,029 randomly selected volumes--both serials and monographs in all subject areas--in a university library over a 7-year period. Results challenged inference of internal use from circulation figures and the appropriateness of weeding based on lack of circulation alone. A 26-item chronological…

Discusses a survey of 185 academic librarians in Oklahoma that was conducted to examine the relationships between institutional provision of release time and financial assistance and librarians' participation in various types of professional development activities. Results are reported that indicate a strong correlation between institutional…